Letterman Sidekick Dies at 85

Calvert DeForest, best known as Larry "Bud" Melman on David Letterman's late night talk shows, has died. He was 85.

The bespectacled actor died Monday, March 19 at a hospital on Long Island after a long illness, announced "The Late Show" Wednesday.

DeForest's alter ego was a rather nebbishy yet charismatic man who delivered lines imperfectly but with gusto. At times an announcer, singer, correspondent or random gag puller, DeForest filled whatever role was required for the joke.

"Everyone always wondered if Calvert was an actor playing a character, but in reality he was just himself -- a genuine, modest and nice man," Letterman said in a statement. "To our staff and to our viewers, he was a beloved and valued part of our show, and we will miss him."

The veteran stage actor first appeared on NBC's "Late Night with David Letterman" in 1982 and followed the host when he switched networks in 1994, this time using his own name since the Melman name was considered to by NBC's intellectual property. He made his final "Late Show" appearance on CBS in 2002.

Throughout his career, DeForest was also a pitchman for 1-800-COLLECT and Sprint Canada, appeared in music videos for Vince Gill and Run DMC, can be heard on several tracks for The Offspring and appeared in minor parts on TV and in film.

The actor leaves no survivors and had requested that no funeral service be held. Donations can be made in his name to the Actors' Fund of America.